This beautifully illustrated children's book invites kids to explore God's design for ethnic diversity and challenges readers—both parents and children—to learn and live out counter-cultural, biblical views, fostering a lifelong celebration of diversity for the glory of God. Designed for four- to eleven-year-olds, God Made Me AND You by Shai Linne is the second book in the God Made Me series, starting with God Made All of Me by Justin and Lindsey Holcomb.
Because Scripture teaches that ethnic diversity is not something that should be tolerated but rather enthusiastically embraced, Christian hip hop artist Shai Linne helps children, parents, and caregivers to celebrate this biblical truth through a lyrical, rhyming style and colorful illustrations.
God Made Me AND You is an approachable guide for families to begin conversations about cultivating a God's perspective on ethnic diversity, confronting the sins of racism, bigotry, and ethnic pride.
Because children learn from family members, media, or peers, parents and caretakers have a responsibility to teach their children what God has to say about the beauty of diversity in his image-bearers, with a particular focus on ethnic diversity.
This colorful and compelling children's book serves as a resource and lifelong gift for children and parents, helping families understand diversity from a biblical perspective and with a clear picture of the beauty and glory of God.
"This is a wonderful resource for teaching our children about God's heart for the nations. Shai rightly reminds us that we are all united in Adam and that we ought to rejoice in 'saints of all colors.' Diversity, rightly understood, is not a PC slogan; it's a biblical hope and expectation. I'm excited to share this book with my own kids."
Kevin DeYoung, Author; senior pastor, Christ Covenant Church, Matthews, NC; assistant professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, NC
"O what a difference it would make if every family would pick up this book and take to heart its message, starting at a young age! This is biblical theology for kids—and all of us!—on God's beautiful design of ethnicity, as winsomely told and displayed through creative and faithful artist theologians. I recommend it with great gratitude and enthusiasm!"
Justin Taylor, Managing Editor, ESV Study Bible
"Thoughtfully-written and whimsically-illustrated, this resource will help children (and those who love and lead them) learn to identify thinking and behavior that diminish humans made in the image of God, see ethnic and other differences through gospel eyes, and celebrate the diversity he has created for his glory."
Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, Author; teacher; host of Revive Our Hearts
"Shai Linne has given us a beautiful story that will not only captivate little hearts and minds, it will help parents clearly explain biblical reasons for why we can and should celebrate God's design for ethnic diversity. But don't think the story is all Linne has for you—read the back to be inspired to continue the conversation when the book is closed. Well done!"
Trillia Newbell, Author of God's Very Good Idea: A True Story of God's Delightfully Different Family
"The reality that all people—with their vast array of diversity—are made in the image of God is foundational for how children will relate to others and calls them to respect the dignity of all people. Shai and Trish have captured beautifully God's design for ethnic diversity. Children will be drawn to this book."
Justin S. Holcomb and Lindsey A. Holcomb, Authors of God Made All of Me: A Book to help Children Protect Their Bodies
"Shai Linne poetically guides us through the biblical pattern of creation, fall, redemption and glorification,unfolding the grand story of the Bible. As he reveals each step in bite-sized chunks, he also teaches the character of an infinitely creative God—One who delights in building a diverse and set-apart people to live with Him forever. This is a great addition to every child's bookshelf."
J. A. Ellis, Cannada Fellow for World Christianity, Reformed Theological Seminary
"Shai Linne is a pastor at heart. And it shows on every page as he brings all of his talent as a theological wordsmith to bear on this simple story of God's delightfully diverse design. Get this book to remind yourself and the little ones you love of the glorious message of Jesus that is bringing together people from every tribe and tongue."
Dan DeWitt, Author of Life in the Wild; associate professor of Applied Theology and Apologetics at Cedarville University; director of the Center for Biblical Apologetics and Public Christianity
"God Made Me AND You by Shai Linne is a theologically sound resource for parents and teachers to raise a new generation who will honor God's gift of human diversity. With his poetic gift, Shai wonderfully displays the glory of God right where we need to see it afresh—in how he made me and you!"
Ray Ortlund, Pastor of Immanuel Church, Nashville, TN; author of The Gospel: How the Church Portrays the Beauty of Christ
"We read this book to our four daughters. They loved it. So did we! It's biblically driven, pastorally careful, lyrically beautiful, and, frankly, just inspiring. Use this book to establish good foundations for your children in how to think about God's plan for diversity and then to praise him for it."
Jonathan and Shannon Leeman, Author; editorial director of 9Marks; elder at Cheverly Baptist Church
"Shai Linne's new book, God Made Me AND You: Celebrating God's Design for Ethnic Diversity, is a gift. It teaches kids that God making people different is something we can delight in, not fear. More importantly, it shows how our differences are for the purpose of magnifying Jesus, who died to save all kinds of people. Beautifully illustrated and creatively written, I can't wait to read this to my grandkids."
Bob Kauflin, Director of Sovereign Grace Music
"The first time I heard Shai Linne's song 'Penelope Judd,' I knew he had a beautiful father's heart and a keen ability to communicate deep ideas in simple ways to children. God Made Me AND You applies these gifts to the vitally important topic of race. It is biblically grounded, and therefore God- and gospel-centered, and provides a joyful and unifying perspective on a divisive topic. I want every child and adult I know to read this book!"
Erik Thoennes, Professor, Biola University; author of Life's Biggest Questions: What the Bible Says about the Things That Matter Most
"God Made Me AND You is a book for every family bookshelf. This colorful, poetic presentation of ethnic diversity shouts the truth of God's creative design as found in Scripture. God Made Me AND You is more than a storybook; it is a teaching tool designed to bring a biblical worldview of humankind into your living room."
Marty Machowski, Family Pastor; author of The Ology, Long Story Short, and other gospel-centered resources for church and home
"The rhythm of words and the magic of rhyme will open your child's eyes to the beauty of race in God's good design. In God Made Me AND You, Shai Linne has created a masterpiece of biblical truth that your child will love and all of us need. I look forward to reading it with my own family. It's the perfect gift to spread the unifying message that Jesus brings to our divided culture."
Champ Thornton, Pastor, author of The Radical Book for Kids and Pass It On: A Proverbs Journal for the Next Generation
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As with the rest of this series, Linne captures the focus of ethnic diversity in a way that's deep, but light enough to engage without making everything feel uncomfortably serious. I appreciated this book and recommend it.
As with the rest of this series, Linne captures the focus of ethnic diversity in a way that's deep, but light enough to engage without making everything feel uncomfortably serious. I appreciated this book and recommend it.
Wonderful book celebrating the diversity of God’s creation in a unifying way. Talks about how we are different and that’s intentional and beautiful. Talks about how sin causes division and prejudice. Through it all, stays true to Scripture and God’s Big Story. Plus there’s a great song that goes along with it!
Wonderful book celebrating the diversity of God’s creation in a unifying way. Talks about how we are different and that’s intentional and beautiful. Talks about how sin causes division and prejudice. Through it all, stays true to Scripture and God’s Big Story. Plus there’s a great song that goes along with it!
The biblical truths in this volume set the foundation for seeing ALL individuals as valued by God in the community of His family. God's plan is for all of His creation to bring Him glory - even the variety of ethnicity spread throughout our neighborhoods. Traditional viewpoints on early childhood development says that most young children don't "see" race. However, I prefer to acknowledge that the adult reading the book to children will be blessed to affirm these biblical truths - and I consider the book a Win-Win-Win! I'm aiming this towards the 4s & 5s age group Resource room ... and putting one on my office shelf too as a future reference. I love the emphasis this volume has regarding God's family in the local church - in addition to relationships among individuals. Material is all shared from a biblical viewpoint - with scriptures passages built into the pages for further discussion.
A lovely, biblical look at important truths about the diversity God has built into the human race. A much-needed perspective that honors God as Creator and extols the creativity He has imbued in every part of His creation, especially humanity.
We absolutely love Shia Linne’s song by the same name and couldn’t wait to read the book! It did not disappoint, the illustrations were bright and engaging as the content!
I was very impressed with the way the author used a fictional story to express the wonderful truth that everyone is created by God uniquely, and we can celebrate all the skin tone colors and remember "different colors and different shades, All fearfully and wonderfully made, Through each the glory of God displayed, God made you and me." A couple of special pages in the back of the book help adults know six ways to help a child appreciate God's design for Ethnic Diversity.
I was very impressed with the way the author used a fictional story to express the wonderful truth that everyone is created by God uniquely, and we can celebrate all the skin tone colors and remember "different colors and different shades, All fearfully and wonderfully made, Through each the glory of God displayed, God made you and me." A couple of special pages in the back of the book help adults know six ways to help a child appreciate God's design for Ethnic Diversity.
The newly released God Made Me and You Church and School Edition offers another avenue for celebrating God’s design for ethnic diversity. The softcover books are an economical choice for distribution to churches and schools and are sold by the 10-pack. The original hardcover version is still available. Author Shai Linne’s story takes place in a Christian classroom where bullies tease other students for various reasons. The teacher uses the opportunity to refer to the Bible to teach that God intentionally created diversity. Race is a gift to be celebrated for the glory of God. The biblical concepts are conveyed with plain language that children will understand, such as, People hate for silly things, like the color of skin. I forgave the imperfect rhyme based on the value of the message. God Made Me and You is worthy of group/classroom or one-on-one discussion with children. It’s a timely topic for racial diversity, but the book handles any type of diversity. Trish Mahoney’s illustrations include various ethnicities, as well as students with physical challenges, including visible birthmarks. In addition to the book, the author created a catchy and adorable song that would add more fun for home or classroom use. Supplemental material includes ‘6 Ways to help children appreciate God’s design for ethnic diversity’. This timely story plus a catchy song plus a supplemental guide equals a winning combination.
